used in the Christmas versions of the Long Branch Variety Show in the late 1980s (with seasonal lyrics). The original version was reintroduced in 2010 as the opening number of the show. At the end of the 1975 season, Mrs. Reinert announced her retirement and Connie Hudnett was selected to take over as the Queen of Dodge City. A Deerfield, Kansas, native, Mrs. Hudnett was a homemaker but had a theatrical background. She began in the summer of 1976 and Mrs. Reinert continued part-time as backup. During Mrs. Hudnett's tenure the show flourished, still riding the wave of popularity created by the TV show Gunsmoke. There was also an expansion of the entertainment offered at Boot Hill Museum and a daytime version of the Long Branch Variety Show was added. This was an abbreviated version of the evening show and was presented several times throughout the day. The daytime version was discontinued after only one or two seasons. Mrs. Hudnett continued in the role of Miss Kitty until 1985 when she was replaced by Hutchinson, Kansas native - Roberta Scott. Ms. Scott was followed by Mischel Raney Miller in 1988 who played the role until 1993. Over the next 15 years, the show continued with various changes to the style and content, but the basic format has remained the same. The role of Chalkley Beeson was expanded, even to the point that Miss Kitty took a variety act role rather than being the hostess of the show. In recent years, the role of Miss Kitty was expanded back to what it originally was and the current version more closely resembles the original format of the Rosemary Mock years. In 2017, the show opened for its 60th season. Acts and shows Through the years, a number of local Dodge City actors and actresses have created variety acts for the Long Branch Variety Show. Local men and women have presented a gunfight in front of the saloon nightly prior to the Long Branch Variety Show and it has become just as popular as the show itself. The gunfight troupe strives to present authentic period costuming and also maintains a safety council to make sure that adequate safety precautions are met not only for the gunfighters themselves, but the audience as well. Training in proper handling of firearms and stunt fighting is required of all persons performing in the gunfights. Theme songs Rosemary